==Season 2025/26==
'''20252026-DecJan-30 27 to 2026-Jan-3 31 / 5 days / Hiking / SOBO NOBO / RR, E, G / EmilyKole'''
SummaryA tranquil segment; the wide open views of the pass nicely compliment the long closed-in forested sections. Attractiveness: 4/5; Difficulty: 3/5 Camps: Night 1: -48.11405, -72.48790 — nice spot on a beach of Lago Christie, but without any wind protection; there could be some sheltered spots in the forest right before Night 2: Camp {36H} [110.9/500] — lovely sheltered spot on the shore of Lago Alegre Night 3: Camp {36H} [79.9/876] — some decent flat spaces in the area amongst the trees after the initial Rio Bravo fords Night 4: -47.62141, -72.46907 — flat sheltered spots right before the Puesto {36H} [53.1/611] Hitches: - I departed Villa O’Higgins at 12:00. Got two partial hitches, and a third that took me all the way to the trailhead, X {36H} [142.0/550], arriving at 15:00. On a day with nice weather during high season there seemed to be a decent number of cars driving in the direction of Lago Christie, and so a good chance on hitching all the way to the trailhead. Might be more difficult in bad weather or early/late in the season. - I arrived to the northern trailhead at Laguna Calluqueo, X {36H} [50.0/553], around 11:00. Luckily it was a nice clear day and so there were several cars around the trailhead and at viewpoints near the Laguna. I walked on the road for a bit and quickly got a hitch from a couple that was returning to Cochrane. Ford Conditions: Water levels were high and currents strong after many days of warm weather contributing to snowmelt. All fords along the RR were still able to be crossed, but particularly the ones near the pass (km 81.3 to 77.4) required some trial and error to find a safe line and some careful footing. Ford {36H-B} [1.3/934] (La Picota, often not fordable) along variant B was indeed not fordable, best to stick to the RR higher up along the ridge unless early in the season. General Notes: - Challenges include blowdowns in the forested sections that require some CC/BB. Trail was overgrown in parts and at times easy to wander off on cow paths. Many flies on warm, windless days. - No longer any snow on the pass - The owner of Puesto {36H} [57.6/667] (Calloqueo) was home - Also the couple caretaking Puesto {36H} [53.1/611] were home and invited me in for mate and some homemade queso and jam, warm and friendly people. * <span style="background-color:aqua;">'''2026-01-28 to 2026-01-31 / 4 days / Packrafting / Loop / RP /OP 23 / Daniel.s'''</span> In short: I started in Cochrane paddled on the lake eastbound until Lake {36H} [52.6/155] (Lago Cochrane), hiked to Lago Brown and paddled Rios Tranquilo and Del Salto to get back towards Cochrane, finished at X {36H-04A} [7.7/314]. Day 1: with 2,5 days of very calm and hot weather ahead I started paddling the little upriver section out of Cochrane, river in at Lake {35} [154.1/156]. The current in the upper parts were too strong for the single packraft to be overcome, so I had to portage. Easiest way is to take out at S 47.22448°, W 072.49745° and put back in at Lake {35} [149.0/193]. The lake itself then was calm all day long. Camped at Lake, Camp {36H-L} [0.0/157] (Lago Cochrane), wich I only recommend in calm conditions. Day 2: another calm day with a little tailwind in the afternoon. Camped at Settler Abandoned {36H} [52.7/156]. Day 3: hiked to Lago brown, which is all on MR starting from Settler {36H} [53.9/157] (Serafin). Reached there by noon, headwinds too strong already, so I continued walking until someone gave me a lift to Rio Tranquilo. Camped at S 47.40648°, W 072.38180°. Day 4: put in Rio Tranquilo at S 47.40533°, W 072.37968°, access directly to the river from MR hassle-free. Water level mid high after a few hot days and melting water. The first 2,5 - 3 kms the river fans out a lot and is shallow, expect ground contact and short portage/lining sections if you choose the wrong river-arm. After that short section no problem. I took out just before X {36H} [98.2/349] (River Xersion) at S 47.45777°, W 072.45684° and hiked alon the old riverbed and then through semi-dense brush with cow-paths to put in at S 47.46068°, W 072.47258°. The rest of the river runs fine. No major difficulties, but it wouldn't be packrafting in Patagonia if the wasn't the obvious "occasional tree/log in the water"-warning 😉. Take out and hike across the bridge is straight forward, put in and the rest of the way on Rio Tranquilo and Rio Del Salto is easy. Rapid {36H-23} [42.2/286] was not much of a rapid due to high water level, just some waves. Took out just after and hitchhiked back to Cochrane from Ruta 7. '''2025-Dec-30 to 2026-Jan-3 / 5 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR, E, G / Emily'''
A beautiful section, particularly from Glacier Callequeo to the Pass, and around Lago Christie.
The trail is mostly well-defined. There are several sections with a lot of fallen trees, but they’re easily stepped over or passed with CC/light BB on occasion. I found it more bothersome than difficult. Similarly, the sections I had to roadwalk were more monotonous than difficult. No issues with fords; a couple reached my upper thigh/crotch, but all had weak to mild currents. Plenty of water around.
Fortunate to have some great weather - several days of sun and minimal winds. I’d expect that the exposed and swampy sections of the trail would be significantly more difficult in poorer conditions. With the exception of the road and at the Glacier, I didn’t see anyone.
Attractiveness - 54/5
Difficulty - 3/5
Camps (all with decent wind protection and nearby water) * Day 1 - Settler 36H-23 [33.2/290]. Approx. 1.5km off the RR at 15km. This is an established campground, though there’s currently no sign. Friendly family, flat grass area for tents, big dining/kitchen space with fireplace, showers and toilets. 7.000clp p/n* Day 2 - Camp [79.9/876](Approx. 100m before, where there was a flatter spot). * Day 3 - Camp [110.9/500]. Beautiful spot, highly recommend. * Day 4 - -48.162416, -72.414089, approx. 138.5km at the puesto marked on OSM. A slightly lumpy but flat spot for 1 tent below the lean-to.
Day 1 Points of note * Caught the bus to I started from Cochrane from Coyhaique and started walking at around 4.15pmon a weekday afternoon. I was able to get two short hitches but mostly roadwalked. * The following morning I camped at Settler 36H-23 [33.2/290]; approximately 1.5km off hitched with a local guide to the RR at 15km. This is an established campgroundglacier (from ~20km, though there’s currently no signaround 8am). Friendly family, flat grass area for tents, big dining/kitchen space with fireplace, showers and toilets. 7.000clp p/n. On the roadwalk to Villa O’Higgins (Day 2 * 5) I was able to hitch from ~20km to the glacier with 148km, around 9.15am on a local guideweekend).
* After the Puesto at 57.6/667 there’s a bad patch of fallen trees. For the most part the RR was obstructed or not obvious. I instead followed a mix of game trail and RR; whatever was the path of least resistance. Some CC/BB required, which was time-consuming but not difficult.
* Note that there’s no water at 67.3/1041, but plenty at the following waypoint [68.4/1089].
* Only one small patch of snow on the descent from the pass Pass 71.5/1304 - could be avoided if you wanted. I forded [71.8/1262] on a snow bridge. * Camped a few hundred metres before 79.9/876 where there was a flatter spot. Day 3 * There were a lot of fallen trees throughout the daybetween ~86.5km to 110km, though as with the day before, they could be bypassed relatively easily with CC. Trail improved thereafter, though is still overgrown in parts/requires detours around fallen trees.
* I bypassed the Puesto at [107.3/479] by cutting across at -47.98615, -72.55851. While there’s no trail as such, there are several game trails and it’s easy CC (more straightforward than the RR at times). I reconnected with the RR at -47.99036, -72.55305.
* Space for 1 tent at 110.9 but potentially more in the vicinity if you got creative. Beautiful spot, highly recommend. Day 4 * Trail overgrown in parts but mostly easier to follow. Some CC still required in sections with deadfall. * An incredibly bad patch of mozzies around ~116km, near the OSM-marked camp. Though only for 500m, I’d suggest applying repellant or putting on a head net prior to. * Recommend keeping an eye on your GPS after the puesto at ~135km. I followed a clear trail to the right of the RR. While in other instances these game trails usually reconnected to the RR, this one didn’t; required some BB through swamp to reconnect. * I camped just below a lean-to around 138.5km. Space for one tent; good wind protection, stream nearby, slightly lumpy but overall okay. Day 5* Hitched from ~148km to Villa O’Higgins, arriving around 10am.
==Season 2024/25==
